By: Chris Young, Local Democracy Reporter
A Bradford town centre store sold an illegal vape to a 15 year old during a Trading Standards undercover operation – a court heard.
The incident has now led to the business’ director, an employee, and the business itself being fined, and businesses across the District being warned about the consequences of salling vapes to children.
The 15-year-old was able to buy an oversized vape at Shipley Superstore, on Market Square in the town centre, in May 2023 without being challenged or asked to show ID.
On Thursday the director of Shipley Superstore (Bradford) Ltd appeared at Bradford Magistrates Court to plead guilty to stocking the illegal product – a Elux 3500 blueberry strawberry blackberry flavour disposable e cigarette.
Karwan Mustapha, 34, of Chelwood Drive, Bradford, admitted that as owner of the store at the time he was responsible for stocking the product – which contained more liquid than legally allowed in the UK.
Ali Qorahbi, 19, of Trenton Drive, Bradford, was the employee who sold the vape to the teenager. He admitted selling an age restricted product to someone under the age of 18.
And Mustapha pleaded guilty on behalf of his company to the supply of an illegal vape and the sale of a vape to a child.
Trading Standards arranged the test purchase after receiving numerous complaints that the show was selling vapes to children.
The court heard that Mustapha was no longer involved in the shop, and his company (Shipley Superstore (Bradford) Ltd) was in the process of being dissolved.
However, Trading Standards had contacted Companies House to prevent this from happening before the company could answer the criminal charges.
Mr Ayub, defending, said: “Mr Qorahbi’s explanation was he thought he had served this particular individual in the past, and because he had served him before he did not need to check his age. He admits he should have taken more steps to ensure he was over age.”
Referring to Mustapha, he argued that the illegal stock had come with the store – which he took over earlier that year. He said: “He took over the business in March 2023 – and he took over all products in the business. He didn’t have any dealings with anyone selling these items. But he admits he is responsible, and should have paid more attention to the products he was selling.
“Although the company is still in existence, he is in the process of getting it dissolved.”
He said he hasn’t been involved in the shop since January this year, and was currently on Universal Credit.
The court heard the case had cost Trading Standards £3,775 to investigate and bring to court.
The company was fined £240 and ordered to pay £2,173 towards the costs, as well as a £96 surcharge.
Mustapha was fined £120, ordered to pay £1,837 towards the costs and a surcharge of £48.
Qorahbi was fined £40, ordered to pay £100 costs and a £16 surcharge.
After the case David Strover, Head of Trading Standards (Business Services) said: “The sale of vapes to children should not be happening within our communities. We wrote to this business to make them aware of complaints we had received and informed them a test purchase may follow.
“The health risks associated with juvenile use of vapes should not be underestimated. Vapes are an adult product suitable for ex-smokers – the sale of vapes to children is unacceptable.
“Retailers need to ensure they have systems in place to avoid selling vapes to minors and train their staff accordingly. I would like to thank all the partners and members of the public for reporting illegal sales and encourage everyone to continue doing so to reduce the harm caused by vapes and tobacco in our communities.”
(Local Democracy Reporting Service)
